Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Doublelunger on July 03, 2020, 07:06:14 PM
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From everthing I've seen it appears to be a pretty good year for antler growth. This winter wasn't too bad and most of the critters came out decently healthy. Combine that with pretty mild temperatures and good moisture this spring and summer so far and things are looking good as far as I can tell. Anyone else have any insight?
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I always wonder about how much difference there is in growth from one bull to the next. Have already seen 1 bull that is pretty much done growing, but in his bachelor group there is a bull that is in the middle stages of growth, and a couple that still have lots to accomplish.
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Here in SE Wa we had a wet, cool June. In year's past that has produced good growth. Here, the mule deer tend to be done growing their antlers by about mid-July. I just pulled a chip from my trail cam after a month long soak on June 30th. Still plenty of fat, knobbly antler tips. A little more rain over the next few weeks wouldn't hurt, but growth looks good so far. :dunno:
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Does the snow pack affect antler growth? What I mean is... if the snow is up on the mountains for a long time (ie. there is still a ton of snow in some parts near the PCT) does this affect their growth? My thinking is that it most likely should not because I assume that the quality of forage in the lower elevations months prior to the migration upwards is more important than when they get up there... not completely sure if anyone else can comment.
M
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Never understood the whole antler growth thing around here . I’ve never been in the mountains and not seen it green and lush thru the antler growth period . Now AZ, NM and states like that there is actual concern on drought and forage effecting antlers
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Never understood the whole antler growth thing around here . I’ve never been in the mountains and not seen it green and lush thru the antler growth period . Now AZ, NM and states like that there is actual concern on drought and forage effecting antlers
:yeah: It seems like with our spring grasses and water supply we should have better horns than we do like those other states. Maybe it’s more tied to minerals. Possibly management too. Only a couple short months until arrows gonna fly!
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I've also heard stress is a factor too...i think its a few things that add up to some years being better then others
This year seems as good as any from what I've seen on the Westside...esp for deer :yike:
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I believe in Eastern WA the biggest factor in antler development is how they come out of winter. The less they have to recoup during antler growth the more that goes to antler development.
